Sanitary ice storage and dispensing apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An ice dispensing device including a storage receptacle for containing a quantity of ice cubes which can have an automatic ice maker attached to said receptacle to supply ice cubes to said receptacle. An ice cube agitator positioned adjacent the bottom of said receptacle and having an inclined blade attached to rotate about an inclined shaft. A dispensing means for dispensing measured quantities of ice cubes from said receptacle without contamination. Control means are provided for periodically operating the agitator means and for refilling the dispensing means to assure correct quantity dispensing.

United States Patent Rowland et al. 1 Oct. 21, 1975 [541 SANITARY ICESTORAGE AND 2,969,650 1/1961 Eschenburg et a1 62/344 x DISPENSINGAPPARATUS AND METHOD 3,186,689 6/1965 Davies 1. 222/318 X 3,329,2237/1967 Swanson et a1. 62/344 X 1 Inventors: Michael Rowland; George3,608.786 9/1971 Shelley et a1. 222 233 x Stephens, both of 2619Milford, Houston, 77006 Primary ExaminerWilliam E. Wayner Oc Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Richards, Harris & Medlock [21] Appl. No.: 410,769

Related US. Application Data 1 T T [63] continuatiommpan of Ser NO151658 June [4 An ice dispensmg devlce 1nc1ud1ng a storage recepta- 971abandoned, cle for containing a quantity of ice cubes which can have anautomatic ice maker attached to said recepta 521 U.S. c1. 62/137;222/313; 222/241; cle 19 pp y ice Cubes I9 Said receptaclecube 2/344agitator positioned adjacent the bottom of said recep [51] Int. Cl. F25C5/18 tack? and having an inclined blade ed o rota e [58] Field 61 Search222/318, 241, 76, 233, abOut an inclined Shaft A dispensing means fordie 222/146 C; 259/97, 42; 62/344, 137 pensing measured quantities ofice cubes from said re ceptacle without contamination. Control means are[56} References Cit d provided for periodically operating the agitatormeans UNITED STATES PATENTS and for refilling the dispensing means toassure correct 346,265 7/1886 Charlton et a1 222/241 quanmy dlspensmg'2,612,294 9/1952 Dorschner 222/252 14 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures I 1 l 1411'. 5Q. Illll' 52 l 7- 56a 1/1 58 lli 22 il 7 13 6 1 5 o l 28 i C111F318 =--/35 26 t t 27 60 46 7 1 3 ['1 m 4O 12 l US. Patent Oct.2l,1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,913,343

I 1| FIG. 1 11m JIM 10 US Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,913,343

SANITARY ICE STORAGE AND DISPENSING APPARATUS AND METHOD Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 152,658,filed June I4, I971, now abandoned, for ICE MAKING AND DISPENSING APPA-RATUS AND METHOD.

The present invention relates to improvements in ice dispensing andstorage apparatus and methods of operating the same. In another aspect,this invention relates to improvements in the breaking up of fusion andbridging between adjacent ice cubes in the storage receptacle andimprovements in the dispensing means for dispensing measured quantitiesof ice cubes from the ice storage receptacle.

In the provision of ice at hotels, motels, restaurants, fillingstations, marinas, drive-in groceries, shopping centers, recreationalfacilities and the like, it has been a general practice to store ice ina receptacle to be manually removed as required. Although such deviceshave served the general purpose, they have not proved entirelysatisfactory under all conditions of service for the reason that the icesupply bins were unsanitary and open to the public, allowing the icetherein to become contaminated. In addition, ice could be pilfered bythose not having legitimate access thereto.

The need for solving the problems of elimination of contamination of icehas become an even more acute problem due to recent actions by federaland state health officials requiring minimum standards of sanitation forthe dispensing of ice at public facilities. As a consequence, the openice bin that has been common in many hotels, motels, apartments, etc.has come into disfavor.

To overcome the sanitation problems, it was proposed that a completelyclosed ice receptacle be used with automatic dispensing means to removethe ice cubes from the receptacle and deliver the cubes to the customeras desired. It was further proposed that conventional designs fordispensing apparatus which had been used with products other than ice beused to dispense the ice cubes from the receptacle.

Although these conventional systems were satisfactory to store anddispense other particulate materials, they have not proved satisfactoryto solve the unique problems present in the field of the sanitarydispensing of particulate ice cubes.

When a quantity of ice cubes is constrained within the upstanding wallsof a receptacle, unique problems are present in that the individual icecubes are not necessarily supported by the ice cubes located directlytherebelow. This is due to the fact that fusion between adjacent icecubes at contact points takes place. Thus, a cube of ice is oftensupported by fusion to other cubes located above or to one side. Thisfusion between adjacent cubes can create arches, columns and beamswithin the receptacle which are, in turn, supported by fusion to thereceptacle walls and bottom. The quantity of ice in the receptacle canthus become rigid and selfsupporting with varied paths of support of thecubes within the receptacle.

It has also been discovered that the longer the period that the cubes inthe receptacle are left at rest, the stronger the fusion bonds betweenadjacent cubes become and the more rigid and difficult the breaking ofthese fusion bonds becomes. Due to the fact that long periods of timecan exist between the successive dispensing operations from thereceptacle, these fusion bonds between adjacent cubes and the walls ofthe receptacle can present material problems in the dispens ing of icefrom the receptacle by conventional gravitational feed means. Thus, thefeeding of ice cubes by the force of gravity from a receptacle byconventional means over long periods of time can become impractical.

In addition, it has been found that ice cubes stored in a receptacle canchange in size and weight over a period of time due to evaporation andmelting. This can be caused by reduced temperature in portions of thereceptacle, pressure forces between adjacent ice cubes and the walls ofthe receptacle and the like. This reduc' tion in size and weight of theindividual cubes can create problems in the dispensing of a fixedportion if a time lapse is present between successive portion measuringand dispensing operations.

Therefore, any acceptable ice storage and dispensing apparatus mustsuccessfully solve the ice bridging and fusion problems to dispense icefrom a storage receptacle over a period of time and must provide a meansfor consistently dispensing a fixed portion of ice cubes.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an improved sanitaryautomatic ice cube storage and dispensing apparatus is provided with animproved agitation means which is periodically operated to agitate theice to break up fusion bonds between adjacent ice cubes.

According to another aspect ofthe present invention, an improvedsanitary automatic ice cube storage and dispensing apparatus is providedwith means periodically refilling the measuring portion of the apparatusto insure dispensing of a complete fresh portion of ice.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved ice cubedispensing apparatus is provided including an ice storage receptaclewhich can be placed in communication with an automatic ice maker.Disposed within the receptacle, and extending upwardly from the basethereof is a dispensing conveyor for transporting the cubes within thereceptacle to a dispensing chute. The conveyor includes an auger mountedfor rotation within a housing, the housing includes an overflow openingand a dispensing opening at the top end thereof, the dispensing openingbeing in communication with the dispensing chute. Means are alsoprovided to automatically operate the auger and to open or close off thedispensing opening thus circulating ice cubes through the auger tothereby either dispense the ice cubes from, or return them to thestorage receptacle. Improved ice agitation means, including an impellerblade uniquely affixed to the shaft of the auger adjacent to the bottomof the receptacle, accomplishes break up of the fusion of the icedisposed within the receptacle by vertically lifting and droppingportions of the ice cubes in the receptacle. Means are provided foractuation of the impeller agitator during the dispensing operations andduring defined periods therebetween.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be readilyappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art as the same becomesbetter understood by reference to the following detailed descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying Drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theautomatic ice making and dispensing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevation of the apparatus illustrated inFIG. I with the lower cover removed therefrom;

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial section of the device taken on lines 33 ofFIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a view identical to FIG. 3 showing the ice dispensingapparatus in the ice dispensing cycle;

FIG. 5 is a view identical to FIG. 4 showing the ice dispensingapparatus in the ice agitation cycle;

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial section of the device showing the improvedice agitator taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of thearrows; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial section of the device show ing the augerassembly taken on line 77 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of thearrows.

Referring now to the Drawings, wherein like reference charactersdesignate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,there is initially illustrated in FIG. 1 a coin-operated ice making anddispensing apparatus 10 which embodies the features of the presentinvention. The entire apparatus can be supported on a floor or otherflat surface by means of a plurality of legs 12 which are desirablyadjustable in length to accommodate variations in the floor surface.

Apparatus 10 includes an enclosure or cabinet structure 26 upon whichcan be mounted an ice maker assembly 14. The illustrated ice maker 14can be of a conventional design known in the art and commerciallyavailable which is effective to produce a quantity of ice cubes whichare received by a receptacle 28 (FIG. 3) disposed within the cabinetstructure 26 and in communication with ice maker [4. Ice maker 14 (aswell as the overall apparatus 10) is preferably electrically powered,but it is contemplated that gas, butane or other forms of power may alsobe utilized therefor.

It is preferred that the ice maker assembly 14 be of the type which hasmeans to sense the amount or level of the ice stored or contained in abin or receptacle 28. This sensing means could be a capillary tube orother temperature sensor 13 which is located within receptacle 28 at adesired ice level height in the upper portion of receptacle 28 so thatwhen ice is in contact with the sensor, ice maker assembly 14 remainsoff and when the ice level falls below the sensor, ice maker assembly 14is actuated to manufacture and dispense ice cubes into receptacle 28.

It is envisioned, of course, that the apparatus of the present inventioncould be used without an ice making apparatus with the ice beingmanually added to the receptacle as needed.

The term ice cube" is used herein in the generic sense to meanparticulate ice material" and is not intended as a geometricallimitation of the shape of ice particles which can be manufactured byice maker 14 or dispensed by the overall apparatus 10 in accordance withthe present invention.

In accordance with the operation of apparatus 10, the details of whichare subsequently described, ice cubes stored within receptacle 28 aredispensed through chute 22 into a suitable holder, such as a paper orplastic bag 20, positioned within a dispensing recess 18 in the frontportion of cabinet 26. The dispensing is normally effected in responseto the insertion of the correct amount of coins into a coin receivingslot [9 and the subsequent manual closing ofa vend switch 24 locatedabove a face plate 16, the plate 16 also having a coin return slot 21and a coin control mechanism (not shown) mounted therebehind. This coincontrol mech anism and the related circuitry associated therewith isimmaterial for the purposes of the present invention in that many suchmechanisms are commercially available on the market, it only beingsufficient for the present purposes to state that the dispensing of theice into bag 20 is effected in response to the receipt of the correctamount of coins or tokens through slot I9 or the insertion ofa card orpass key and closing of vend switch 24. Disposed above face plate 16 isa bin empty indicator light 23, the operation and purpose of which issubsequently described.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is observed that receptacle28, which houses a quantity 29 of ice cubes, includes upstanding wallsand a lower portion 30 of a generally pyramidal shape. Preferably,receptacle 28 is formed of or coated with fiberglass, foamed urethane,or some other suitable insulating material to reduce the heat loss andmelting of the ice therein.

The receptacle 28 is supported by frame 33. A drip pan may be positionedbelow the lower portion 30 and a drain hose 34 to receive any liquidfrom the ice melting within the receptacle and direct the liquidtherefrom. Additionally, other drain hoses 35 and 37 could be utilizedto remove any accumulation of liquid from the dispensing recess 18 andice maker [4, respectively.

Disposed adjacent or in front of frame 33 is a control box 36 whichpreferably houses the control mechanisms and circuitry for operating thevarious portions of apparatus 10 in accordance with the subsequentlydescribed operation.

Disposed within receptacle 28, and preferably within the lower portion30, is a level switch 27 for indicating when the amount of ice disposedwith bin 28 falls below a desired minimum. This desired minimum is setto insure that sufficient ice is present in the receptacle to allow acomplete vend and to keep the bin sufficiently cold. While variousswitches known in the art may be utilized for switch 27, one suitabledevice is a temperature responsive switch which remains open as long asthe ice is in contact with (at or above the level of) switch 27. As soonas the ice level falls below that of switch 27, the resulting rise intemperature will be sensed by the switch and it will close, thusenergizing bin empty indicator light 23 de-energizing coin controlmechanism so that any coins placed in slot 19 will be returned to slot21 without effecting the dispensing operation.

In accordance with the improved feature of the present invention, thedispensing of the ice from lower portion 30 of the receptacle toexternal chute 22 is effected by way of an auger assembly 44 inclined atan angle "A" with respect to the vertical axis (FIG. 3). This assembly44 includes a hollow key hole-shaped cross section housing 46 as shownin FIG. 7 suitably mounted within the receptacle 28 and a screw auger 48rotatably mounted within housing 46. Screw auger 48 is attached to theoutput shaft 42 of a suitable driving means 40 which is driven by amotor 38. Consequently, when the motor 38 is energized, screw auger 48will be caused to rotate and will convey ice disposed within the housing46 and that adjacent to the bottom opening thereof to the upper endthereof adjacent the chute 22.

- As illustrated, shaft 42 extends from driving means 40 up throughlower portion 30 of receptacle 28 and is provided with suitable seals(not illustrated) to prevent any leakage of the liquid from receptacle28 along shaft 42. The upper end of the shaft is suitably constrained bya bearing or the like.

At the upper end of auger housing 46 are a pair of openings 50 and 52,respectively, providing the overflow and vend outlets. The vend opening52 preferably extends to a level below overflow opening 50, andcommunicates with vending chute 22. A vend door assembly 56 positionedadjacent vend opening 52 includes a vend door member 56a operativelyconnected to a solenoid assembly 58, the solenoid assembly 58,respectively, moving vend door 56a to an open and closed position forrespectively allowing the ice which is transported up the housing 46 toenter, or be restrained from entering dispensing chute 22. The operationof solenoid S8 to move door 56a to the open position (as illustrated inFIG. 4) is in response to the insertion of coins into opening 19 ofafact plate and subsequent actuation of vend switch 24.

When vend door 56a is in the closed position (for example FIG. 5), anyice transported up through housing 46 will exit through overflow opening50 back into receptacle 28. This ability to refill auger assembly 44with a fresh supply ofice is of particular advantage in insuring thedispensing of a fresh and correct quantity of ice in each dispensingoperation without regard to the time span between each dispensingoperation. This is accomplished because the auger is periodicallyoperated with the vend door 56a closed by a control mechanism to causeice cubes to be transported into and up through auger assembly 44 outoverflow opening 50, and back into receptacle 28. This insures thatbefore the ice in auger assembly 44 can become stale or reduced in sizethrough evaporation or melting during prolonged periods of time betweenvend operations, that auger assembly 44 will be operated to remove theice therefrom through opening 50, and fresh ice will enter augerassembly 44 from receptacle 28. Thus, by periodically operating theauger, a full auger is assured and reliable portion control can beaccomplished through a timed operation of the auger.

in accordance with another improved feature of the present invention, animpeller blade 60 is attached at an angle to and rotates with shaft 42to enable the agitation and subsequent breaking of the fusion betweenadjacent ice cubes within receptacle 28. As illustrated in FIG. 6,impeller 60 includes a cutting edge 61 and an inclined plane surface 62afforded by attaching the impeller 60 to the shaft 42 at an angle withrespect to the axis of shaft rotation. As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and5, the impeller 60 is inclinably attached to shaft 42. and shaft 42 isinclined at an angle A with respect to the vertical axis of receptacle28. The inclined plane surface 62 of impeller 60 thus forms a compoundangle with respect to the vertical axis of receptacle 28.

As impeller 60 is rotated with shaft 42, the plane sur; face 62successively changes its angle of inclination with respect to thevertical axis. Adjacent ice cubes near the bottom of receptacle 28 andin contact with this inclined plane 62, are physically forced up theinclined plane, but at differing rates of speed and at successivelyvarying angles to the vertical as the angle of inclination of the planesurface varies with rotation. The cubes thus forced generally upward aredriven against those cubes immediately above the cubes in contact withthe impeller and in turn against other cubes higher up within thereceptacle 28, thereby breaking up fusion of the ice within thereceptacle.

Impeller is preferably located as near the bottom of receptacle 28 aspractical, since it has been discovered that ice cubes located radiallyaround and outside the volume swept by said impeller 60 and below theplane swept by the upper tip of said impeller 60, cannot by thuslyagitated. It has been further discovered that the shape of the lowerportion 30 of the receptacle 28 cannot aid the gravity feed ofice cubesinto the area of agitation. In the present embodiment, the walls arepreferably shaped in the lower portion 30 of receptacle 28 to closelyconform to the perimeter of the volume swept by impeller 60 so as toreduce the quantity of unagitated ice cubes. As illustrated in FIG. 6,impeller 60, preferably of semicircular shape, is mounted off center.

The shape and size of impeller 60 is such that when rotated with shaft42, the impeller 60 sweeps through and successively cuts into, lifts anddrops a portion of the volume 29 of ice within the receptacle 28. Theforce imparted by the impeller 60 is sufficient to break the fusionbetween adjacent cubes and this force is transmitted upward and slightlyoutward by the action of driven cubes coming into contact with othercubes. After the fusion between adjacent cubes is thus broken. and afterthe impeller blade 60 rotates out from under the cubes thus brokenapart, these loose cubes can fall by gravity downward into the spacevacated by the impeller 60 as it rotates to a new position. Since theseloose cubes immediately begin to readhere to each other, it has beendiscovered that the impeller 60 must rotate at some speed so that itagain passes under this same portion of ice cubes before fusion canreoccur.

The force imparted by impeller 60 against the ice cubes has been foundto be dissipated with height above the impeller. This is caused by thepacking of cubes into void spaces, and horizontal dissipation caused bycubes contacting others at random angles. The present invention providesa storage receptacle 28 of substantial capacity to allow sufficientaccumulation of ice cubes 29 within to meet peak demands and theagitating means is sized sufficiently to provide agitating force andmotion to the desired ice level height in the upper portion ofreceptacle 28. As the impeller 60 is rotated with shaft 42, the impellerwill assume successive positions within the receptacle 28. With eachcomplete revolution, it can be seen that the impeller passes under aportion of the total horizontal cross-sectional area of the receptacle28.

Continuous agitation of the volume 29 of ice would eventually damage theice cubes and reduce their desirability as saleable products. Agitationmust be forceful enough to break the fusion between adjacent cubes andmove them to prevent their immediate refusion. A constant application ofsufficient force and motion sub stantially reduces size and quality ofice cubes. It is however, only necessary to agitate and subsequentlybreak the fusion between adjacent ice cubes within the receptacle 28during the time when it is desired to convey a portion of said ice cubesout through the dispensing means. Except during vending periods, it isof no consequence that ice may be allowed to fuse together and bridge.provided that the bridge or fusion should not be allowed to exist for solong a period of time as to be too strong for impeller 60 to break.

Inasmuch as continuous agitation is neither desirable nor necessary,agitation and subsequent breaking of fusion between adjacent ice cubesshould occur at time intervals independent ofthe agitation which wouldnormally occur during vending or dispensing of ice, These agitationcycles. to be subsequently described, are sufficiently frequent as toprevent a strong fusion bond between adjacent ice cubes and allow rapidunbridging and separation of adjacent ice cubes during either thevending or dispensing cycles or subsequent agitation cycles.

It is important to note that both agitation impeller 60 and auger 48 areattached to shaft 42. Thus, by operat ing motor 38 both agitation of theice within the recep tacle to eliminate bridging and circulation of icethrough the auger assembly 44 to assure proper portion control, can beaccomplished simultaneously.

The operation of the apparatus in accordance with the invention can bedescribed by reference to the following cycles:

(1) inert; (2) standby; (3) vend; and (4) agitation. lnert Cycle Whenthe receptacle or bin 28 is empty. or the volume 29 of ice therein isbelow level switch 27, light 23 is illuminated, informing customers ofthe deficiency in the supply of ice, and the coin control mechanismdiverts any coins inserted within slot 19 to return slot 21. As aconsequence. and during this portion of the cycle, solenoid 58 remainsin its deactuated position and vend door 560 remains closed (FIG. 3).Since sensor 13 is preferably located above level switch 27, thedeficiency in the supply of ice will also cause actuation of ice maker14 to produce ice cubes to fill receptacle 28 to the desired level.

Standby Cycle As the ice produced by unit 14 is ejected into receptacle28, the level of the ice cubes therein rises to and above the level ofswitch 27, the corresponding drop in temperature actuating switch 27 toturn off light 23 and actuate the coin control mechanism to the coinacceptance" mode. The unit 14 will continue to produce ice cubes untilthe level of sensor 13 is reached, and in the meantime, apparatus 10will now automatically vend ice cubes in response to the receipt of thecorrect amount ofcoins and manual closing of the vend switch. Vend CycleUpon receipt of the correct amount of coins within coin receiving slot19 and subsequent pressing of vend button 24. the control mechanismwithin the housing 36 will energize motor 38 to rotate screw conveyorauger 48 and to actuate solenoid S8 to translate vend door 560 to itsopen position. As a consequence, ice cubes within housing 46 aretransported to and through the vend opening 52 where they pass throughdispensing chute 22 and into bag 20 (FIG. 4). v

A suitable timing mechanism contained within hous' ing 36 controls theperiod of time auger 48 is rotated and vend door 56a remains open. Bysetting this timing mechanism for a prescribed time period, the amountof ice dispensed through chute 22 can consequently be controlled. Since.as previously described. auger assembly 44 is always full of ice cubes,accurate control of the amount of ice that is vended can therefore. beeffected. At the end of this prescribed time period, the controlmechanism within housing 36 de-energizes motor 38, deactuates solenoid58 to close vend door 56a. and the vend cycle is completed. Vend door56a, thus being closed, seals off the unvended ice within assembly 44and receptacle 28, thus preventing contamination of the unvended icetherein. and prevents ice from being dispensed during the agitationcycle.

Throughout the entire vend operation, and as a con sequence of therotation of auger 48 and shaft 42, impeller blade is caused to rotate.The resulting move ment of this blade 60 as a consequence of its angularattachment to the shaft 42 thus imparts a lifting and dropping motion todifferent portions of the volume 29 of ice within the receptacle 28 asthe shaft rotates. the resulting wave motion therein advantageously andeffectively agitating, breaking up and unbridging the ice particlesthroughout receptacle 28.

Agitation Cycle The timing mechanism within the control housing 36 isalso effective to periodically actuate motor 38 independent of the vendcycle. to transport the ice cubes upwardly through housing 46 whileduring this time period vend door 56a remains in a closed positionvSince vend door 56a remains closed, the so-transported ice cubes willexit through the overflow opening 50 and fall back into receptacle 28(FIG. 5). At the same time, agitation and unbridging of the ice cubeswithin the bin is effected, as before, by the rotation of blade 60.Consequently, in addition to the periodic agitation of the ice cubeswithin receptacle 28 during time periods when the dispensing is notbeing effected. any ice which may have partially melted within the augerassembly 44 will be removed therefrom, and replaced to insure anaccurate portion control.

As a consequence of the above-described features and operations,apparatus It] automatically dispenses precise amounts of sanitary andcontamination-free ice therefrom, assures the provision of a continuoussupply of ice in response to vending requirements, and is substantiallyfree of operating difficulties clue to the adherence and bridging of theice cubes contained therein.

Various modifications of the disclosed preferred embodiment maybecome-apparent to one skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An ice cube vending machine comprising:

receptacle means for storing a volume of ice cubes;

a first means in communication with said receptacle means at a pointspaced above the lowermost portion of said receptacle means forreceiving ice cubes retained in said receptacle means and alternativelydispensing and mixing said ice cubes in said receptacle; said firstmeans comprises a screw auger means for conveying ice cubes from a firstpoint spaced above the lowermost portions of said receptacle means to asecond point elevated above said first point, means supporting saidauger means in said receptacle, and valve means attached to the elevatedend of said auger means for selectively diverting ice cubes conveyed bysaid auger means into the upper portion of said volume of ice cubesstored in said receptacle means and out of said receptacle means;

a second means provided in said receptacle means for first verticallylifting and thereafter dropping portions of the ice cubes in saidreceptacle to agitate said ice cubes. and thereby eliminate bridging andfusion of said ice cubes in said receptacle;

means periodically operating said first and second means; and

an ice manufacturing means connected to said receptacle to supply icecubes thereto.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said screw auger means isinclined within said receptacle means.

3. A machine as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising a dispensingchute means connected to said valve means for delivering ice cubes outof said receptacle means.

4. An ice cube vending machine comprising:

receptacle means for storing a volume of ice cubes;

selectively operable first means in communication with said receptaclemeans adapted to receive ice cubes retained in said receptacle means forselectively dispensing said ice cubes from said receptacle means;

second means positioned in the bottom of said receptacle means for firstvertically lifting and thereafter dropping portions of the ice cubes insaid receptacle to agitate said ice cubes, and thereby break up bridgingand fusion of adjacent ice cubes in said receptacle, said second meanscomprising an impeller blade mounted to rotate about an axis in saidreceptacle in an area spaced above the lowermost portion of saidreceptacle, surface means on said blade extending from said axis throughan angle less than 360 for lifting a portion of the ice in said bin ontosaid blade and abruptly dropping ice from the blade surface;

control means periodically operating said second means to therebyperiodically break up bridging and fusion between adjacent ice cubes;and

ice manufacturing means connected to said receptacle to supply ice cubesthereto.

5. A machine as defined in claim 4 wherein said first means comprises ascrew auger.

6. A machine as defined in claim 4 additionally comprising control meansfor energizing the ice cube manufacturing means when the ice in saidreceptacle is less than a predetermined amount,

7. A machine as defined in claim 4 wherein said axis is verticallyinclined in said receptacle.

8. A machine as defined in claim 7 wherein said blade is inclined withrespect to said axis.

9. An ice cube vending machine comprising:

receptacle means for storing a volume of ice cubes;

a first means in communication with said receptacle means at a pointspaced above the lowermost portion of said receptacle means forreceiving ice cubes retained in said receptacle means and alternativelydispensing and mixing said ice cubes in said receptacle;

a second means positioned in the bottom of said receptacle means forfirst vertically lifting and thereafter dropping portions of the icecubes in said receptacle to agitate said ice cubes, and therebyeliminate bridging and fusion of said ice cubes in said receptacle, saidsecond means comprising an impeller blade mounted to rotate about anaxis in said receptacle in an area spaced above the lowermost portion ofsaid receptacle, surface means on said blade extending from said axisthrough an angle less than 360" for lifting a portion of the ice in saidbin onto said blade and abruptly dropping ice from the blade surface;

means periodically operating said first and second means; and

ice manufacturing means connected to said recepta cle to supply icecubes thereto.

10. A machine as defined in claim 9 additionally comprising controlmeans for energizing the ice cube manufacturing means when the ice insaid receptacle is less than a predetermined amount.

ll. A machine as defined in claim 9 wherein said impeller blade isinclined with respect to said impeller axis.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said axis of saidimpeller is vertically inclined in said receptacle means.

13. An ice cube vending machine comprising:

receptacle means for storing a volume of ice cubes;

a first means in communication with said receptacle means at a pointspaced above the lowermost portion of said receptacle means forreceiving ice cubes retained in said receptacle means and alter nativelydispensing and mixing said ice cubes in said receptacle; second meansprovided in said receptacle means for first vertically lifting andthereafter dropping portions of the ice cubes in said receptacle to agitate said ice cubes, and thereby eliminate bridging and fusion of saidice cubes in said receptacle, said second means comprises asemicircularly shaped impeller blade and means mounting said impellerblade to rotate about an axis within said receptacle means at a pointspaced above the lowermost portion of said receptacle;

means periodically operating said first and second means; and

an ice manufacturing means connected to said receptacle to supply icecubes thereto.

14. An automatic ice cube vending machine comprising in combination:

a frame;

a sealed sanitary receptacle means defined by said frame for storing avolume of ice cubes;

means mounted on said frame for manufacturing ice cubes;

delivery means connecting said ice cube manufacturing means and saidreceptacle means for delivering ice cubes to said receptacle means;

ice cube dispensing and mixing means in communication with saidreceptacle means positioned at a point spaced above the lowermostportion of said receptacle means and adapted to receive ice cubesretained in said receptacle means for selectively dispensing said icecubes from said receptacle means and mixing said ice cubes in saidreceptacle, said mixing and dispensing means comprising a screw augermeans mounted for conveying ice cubes from said receptacle, said screwauger having a shaft and a screw blade attached to rotate therewith,valve means attached to the elevated end ofsaid auger means forselectively diverting ice cubes conveyed by said auger means into theupper portion of said receptacle means and out of said receptacle means,and dispensing chute means connected to said valve means for deliveringice cubes out of said receptacle means;

movable ice cube agitating means provided in said receptacle means forfirst vertically lifting and thereafter dropping a portion of the icecubes in said receptacle to agitate said ice cubes, and thereby break upbridging and fusion between adja l1 12 cent ice cubes in said receptaclesaid agitating and opening said valve means to dispense ice cubes meanscomprising a semicircular shaped impeller from said receptacle; andblade inclined with respect to and attached to rosecond control meansperiodically operating said tate with the lowermost portion of saidauger shaft; power means and closing said valve means to break powermeans connected to rotate said auger shaft; 5 up bridging and fusionbetween adjacent ice cubes. first control means for operating said powermeans UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 33 Dated October 21, 1975 Inventor(s) Michael L. Rowland et a1 It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 19, after "of a" and before "plate",

delete "fact" and insert --face-.

Signed and Scaled this mgh Day of mum [sEM-l RU'I'H C. MASON C. MARSHALLDANN Arresting Offl'w (umminiuner 0] Parent: and Trademark:

1. An ice cube vending machine comprising: receptacle means for storinga volume of ice cubes; a first means in communication with saidreceptacle means at a point spaced above the lowermost portion of saidreceptacle meanS for receiving ice cubes retained in said receptaclemeans and alternatively dispensing and mixing said ice cubes in saidreceptacle; said first means comprises a screw auger means for conveyingice cubes from a first point spaced above the lowermost portions of saidreceptacle means to a second point elevated above said first point,means supporting said auger means in said receptacle, and valve meansattached to the elevated end of said auger means for selectivelydiverting ice cubes conveyed by said auger means into the upper portionof said volume of ice cubes stored in said receptacle means and out ofsaid receptacle means; a second means provided in said receptacle meansfor first vertically lifting and thereafter dropping portions of the icecubes in said receptacle to agitate said ice cubes, and therebyeliminate bridging and fusion of said ice cubes in said receptacle;means periodically operating said first and second means; and an icemanufacturing means connected to said receptacle to supply ice cubesthereto.
 2. A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said screw augermeans is inclined within said receptacle means.
 3. A machine as definedin claim 1 additionally comprising a dispensing chute means connected tosaid valve means for delivering ice cubes out of said receptacle means.4. An ice cube vending machine comprising: receptacle means for storinga volume of ice cubes; selectively operable first means in communicationwith said receptacle means adapted to receive ice cubes retained in saidreceptacle means for selectively dispensing said ice cubes from saidreceptacle means; second means positioned in the bottom of saidreceptacle means for first vertically lifting and thereafter droppingportions of the ice cubes in said receptacle to agitate said ice cubes,and thereby break up bridging and fusion of adjacent ice cubes in saidreceptacle, said second means comprising an impeller blade mounted torotate about an axis in said receptacle in an area spaced above thelowermost portion of said receptacle, surface means on said bladeextending from said axis through an angle less than 360* for lifting aportion of the ice in said bin onto said blade and abruptly dropping icefrom the blade surface; control means periodically operating said secondmeans to thereby periodically break up bridging and fusion betweenadjacent ice cubes; and ice manufacturing means connected to saidreceptacle to supply ice cubes thereto.
 5. A machine as defined in claim4 wherein said first means comprises a screw auger.
 6. A machine asdefined in claim 4 additionally comprising control means for energizingthe ice cube manufacturing means when the ice in said receptacle is lessthan a predetermined amount.
 7. A machine as defined in claim 4 whereinsaid axis is vertically inclined in said receptacle.
 8. A machine asdefined in claim 7 wherein said blade is inclined with respect to saidaxis.
 9. An ice cube vending machine comprising: receptacle means forstoring a volume of ice cubes; a first means in communication with saidreceptacle means at a point spaced above the lowermost portion of saidreceptacle means for receiving ice cubes retained in said receptaclemeans and alternatively dispensing and mixing said ice cubes in saidreceptacle; a second means positioned in the bottom of said receptaclemeans for first vertically lifting and thereafter dropping portions ofthe ice cubes in said receptacle to agitate said ice cubes, and therebyeliminate bridging and fusion of said ice cubes in said receptacle, saidsecond means comprising an impeller blade mounted to rotate about anaxis in said receptacle in an area spaced above the lowermost portion ofsaid receptacle, surface means on said blade extending from said axisthrough an angle less than 360* for lifting a portion of the ice in saidbin onto said blade and abruptly dropping ice from the blade surface;meaNs periodically operating said first and second means; and icemanufacturing means connected to said receptacle to supply ice cubesthereto.
 10. A machine as defined in claim 9 additionally comprisingcontrol means for energizing the ice cube manufacturing means when theice in said receptacle is less than a predetermined amount.
 11. Amachine as defined in claim 9 wherein said impeller blade is inclinedwith respect to said impeller axis.
 12. An apparatus as defined in claim11 wherein said axis of said impeller is vertically inclined in saidreceptacle means.
 13. An ice cube vending machine comprising: receptaclemeans for storing a volume of ice cubes; a first means in communicationwith said receptacle means at a point spaced above the lowermost portionof said receptacle means for receiving ice cubes retained in saidreceptacle means and alternatively dispensing and mixing said ice cubesin said receptacle; a second means provided in said receptacle means forfirst vertically lifting and thereafter dropping portions of the icecubes in said receptacle to agitate said ice cubes, and therebyeliminate bridging and fusion of said ice cubes in said receptacle, saidsecond means comprises a semicircularly shaped impeller blade and meansmounting said impeller blade to rotate about an axis within saidreceptacle means at a point spaced above the lowermost portion of saidreceptacle; means periodically operating said first and second means;and an ice manufacturing means connected to said receptacle to supplyice cubes thereto.
 14. An automatic ice cube vending machine comprisingin combination: a frame; a sealed sanitary receptacle means defined bysaid frame for storing a volume of ice cubes; means mounted on saidframe for manufacturing ice cubes; delivery means connecting said icecube manufacturing means and said receptacle means for delivering icecubes to said receptacle means; ice cube dispensing and mixing means incommunication with said receptacle means positioned at a point spacedabove the lowermost portion of said receptacle means and adapted toreceive ice cubes retained in said receptacle means for selectivelydispensing said ice cubes from said receptacle means and mixing said icecubes in said receptacle, said mixing and dispensing means comprising ascrew auger means mounted for conveying ice cubes from said receptacle,said screw auger having a shaft and a screw blade attached to rotatetherewith, valve means attached to the elevated end of said auger meansfor selectively diverting ice cubes conveyed by said auger means intothe upper portion of said receptacle means and out of said receptaclemeans, and dispensing chute means connected to said valve means fordelivering ice cubes out of said receptacle means; movable ice cubeagitating means provided in said receptacle means for first verticallylifting and thereafter dropping a portion of the ice cubes in saidreceptacle to agitate said ice cubes, and thereby break up bridging andfusion between adjacent ice cubes in said receptacle, said agitatingmeans comprising a semicircular shaped impeller blade inclined withrespect to and attached to rotate with the lowermost portion of saidauger shaft; power means connected to rotate said auger shaft; firstcontrol means for operating said power means and opening said valvemeans to dispense ice cubes from said receptacle; and second controlmeans periodically operating said power means and closing said valvemeans to break up bridging and fusion between adjacent ice cubes.